Traditionally base stations have been verified by measuring their performance conductively at the antenna interface. With 5G, we enter a new and exciting era for base station design. Base stations and Remote Radio Units (RRU) are moving towards more integrated antenna/radio solutions, as well as Massive MIMO with 64 or more radio/antenna elements. These Advanced Antenna System technologies are applied also on LTE base stations to improve network capacity as well as reduce power consumption. However, this new breed of base stations will introduce new measurement challenges as these new design considerations change or eliminate the traditional antenna connector interface. Without access to these connectors, the test equipment must measure base station performance after the antenna output in a radiated, wireless over-the-air (OTA) environment.

Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine to Machine or M2M communication is an application area quickly growing in importance both in the professional and domestic market. The professional segment includes different kinds of wireless metering, wireless diagnostics and supervision, while the domestic market focuses on smart home appliances. Together they include devices with a wide range of sizes and shapes increasing the need for flexible test solutions capable of testing small as well as larger wireless devices.